By Collins Mtika:
As Malawi gears up for its crucial tripartite elections on September 16, 2025, the implications go far beyond just picking leaders; they strike at the very heart of the state’s ability to function effectively.
Once celebrated as a shining example of democratic progress in southern Africa, Malawi now finds itself at a critical juncture. The country is wrestling with escalating economic challenges, widespread hunger, and a growing sense of public disillusionment.
This election will not only decide the presidency, parliament, and local councils but also test whether a fragile democracy can endure its toughest challenge in decades.
The promise of reform weighed down by harsh realities
This will mark Malawi’s second election under the 50%+1 majority rule, a change brought about by the landmark Constitutional Court ruling that annulled the problematic 2019 presidential election.
Back then, Malawi was lauded worldwide for its commitment to democratic accountability, earning rare accolades across Africa and beyond. However, five years later, that initial optimism has faded.
President Lazarus Chakwera, who rose to power in 2020 on a platform of anti-corruption and reform, now leads a government grappling with its own scandals.
His Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has found itself politically isolated following the collapse of the Tonse Alliance in 2024, which was once a broad coalition of opposition forces.
Meanwhile, daily life for millions of Malawians has become increasingly difficult. Inflation has skyrocketed past 28%, the national currency (kwacha) has lost over 60% of its value since 2022, and foreign reserves are nearly exhausted.
Around 25% of the country’s 23 million citizens are facing acute food insecurity, worsened by an El Niño-induced drought and the failure of crucial agricultural subsidies.
“This is no longer just a policy debate – it’s a survival crisis,” remarked one aid worker in Lilongwe. “Hospitals are plunged into darkness due to rolling blackouts. Families are surviving on mangoes and wild roots. The public sector is falling apart.”
Corruption and the erosion of Public Trust
High-profile corruption scandals have really taken a toll on public confidence. At the heart of this mess is Zuneth Sattar, a British-Malawian businessman, who is caught up in a massive investigation.
He is accused of bribing Malawian officials to land over $150 million in state contracts, primarily for security services, with alleged illicit profits hitting around $53 million.
This scandal has also dragged several high-ranking officials into the spotlight, including the late Vice President Saulos Chilima, whose own charges were dropped before he passed away in 2024.
Other troubling cases, like a $727 million fertiliser payment to a UK-registered shell company and an $857 million fuel procurement scandal, have brought back painful memories of the notorious 2013 “Cashgate” affair.
From 2005 to 2019, Malawi is estimated to have lost between $2.3 and $7.3 billion due to illicit financial flows, money that could have been used to improve infrastructure and basic services.
International partners are growing increasingly sceptical. Both the European Union and the United Kingdom have cut back on aid, pointing to ongoing concerns about accountability and transparency. Malawi’s image as a democratic success story is starting to dim.
The political scene is looking pretty fragmented, and the stakes are high.
As the presidential race heats up, we see some familiar faces stepping back into the ring, but the dynamics have shifted quite a bit.
President Chakwera is aiming for a second term, but he is currently trailing behind Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who is making a surprising return at the age of 85.
His catchy slogan, “We are coming to fix this mess,” is striking a chord with younger voters. Meanwhile, Joyce Banda, the former president and head of the People’s Party, is also in the mix, hoping to reclaim the presidency.
It looks like a runoff is on the horizon, but there is a catch: the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has raised concerns about its budget, stating it does not have the $55 million needed for a second round, which could lead to a constitutional crisis.
Tonse Alliance has fallen apart, leaving Chakwera without some crucial political support. The United Transformation Movement (UTM), once led by Chilima, is in disarray, and smaller parties like the United Democratic Front (UDF) could play a pivotal role under the 50%+1 rule.
A recent pre-election survey from the Institute of Public Opinion and Research (IPOR) reveals a divided electorate.
While the government gets some credit for advancements in health and education, it faces heavy criticism for its handling of the economy, with a staggering 87% of respondents rating it poorly.
Trust in the MEC is relatively solid at 76%, but only 31% of voters feel confident that the election will be completely free and fair. On a positive note, a whopping 95% of registered voters plan to head to the polls in September.
“This election isn’t just about winning,” noted political analyst Dennis Beru. “It’s about establishing a legitimate mandate in a nation that’s deeply divided. And as it stands, no alliance can take victory for granted.”
The Youth factor: Marginalized but essential
With a median age of just 17.8 years and more than two-thirds of the population under 30, the youth of Malawi have the power to drive real change.
Back in 2020, young voters were crucial in bringing the current administration to power.
Yet today, many of them feel disconnected. High nomination fees, strict party structures, and a lack of representation have left them feeling disillusioned.
“Politics will stay stuck unless we bring young people into the fold,” said Charles Kajoloweka from Youth and Society. “They encounter significant barriers to getting involved, and the issues that matter to them—like job opportunities and the rising cost of living—are being ignored.”
A Nation at a Crossroads
Despite facing logistical and financial challenges, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has successfully registered 7.2 million voters, with 57% of them being women.
However, with 20 presidential candidates collecting and submitting their nomination forms, there are still worries about voter choice and preparedness.
The campaign period, which runs until mid-September, has already seen some scattered violence and a growing sense of public scepticism.
This election is more than just a democratic formality; it is a crucial test of governance, integrity, and the survival of our institutions.
